Scottish Cultural Center

Preserving and promoting traditional Scottish arts in and around Houlton, Maine

Scottish Country Dancing

History

Scottish Country Dancing is ballroom dancing as it was done in Scotland 200+ years ago. It is the grand-daddy of English Country Dancing, which in turn devolved into Contra Dancing and eventually Square Dancing. Scottish Country Dancing is distinct from Highland Dancing, which is a solo competitive sport.

The Music

The music of Scottish Country Dancing is traditional with fiddles, accordions, pianos, sometimes percussion, and occasionally bagpipes.

Click the play button on the music player to hear an example of the kind of music we dance to while Scottish Country Dancing.

Structure

Scottish Country Dancing is always done in “sets”, most commonly of 4 couples. It’s pretty much Contra Dancing, if you’re familiar with that, with some basic ballet footwork.

There are Reels, Jigs, and Strathspeys. Reels and Jigs are pretty fast tempo with quick steps, while Strathspeys have a slower more regal feel.

There is NO CALLER, so you have to KNOW THE DANCE from beginning to end. That’s why we practice. We can’t learn a few hundred years’ worth of dances in one afternoon.

Plus, practicing is great exercise, both physically and mentally. And, eventually, we get to dress up and go to the Ball!

What’s a Scottish Country Dance Ball?

Balls, where lots of people get together to dance, are generally announced several months in advance, together with their Dance Program — the list of dances which will be danced — so Ball-goers can practice up on those particular dances before they go.

You might check these websites to find the proper attire for a formal Scottish Country Dance Ball:

The video below is what a Formal Ball might look like.

What to wear to practice

We don’t dress up for practice, so just wear comfortable clothing with thin layers to prevent overheating.

You may at some point consider purchasing ballet slippers or comparable dance shoes with thin, leather soles to help you glide across the floor. Those work well for both men and women dancers.

To find the right dance shoes for you without shopping the big box stores or Amazon, you may try these places:

If you prefer ghillies (the shoes men traditionally wear):

When and where to practice

We meet in Houlton, Maine, at Watson Hall behind Church of the Good Shepherd at 116 Main Street on these days:

  • Sundays 4:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays 5:15-7:15 p.m.

Please join us for Scottish Country Dancing. It’s FREE, and you don’t need to bring your own partner!

For more information about Scottish Country Dancing in Houlton, Maine, please call Jill at 207-945-7472.

Scottish Country Dancing Videos

Here are some Scottish Country Dances that will give you an idea of the types of dancing we enjoy. Please don’t be put off by how complicated the dances look or how polished some of the dancers are. We are a friendly group. We make a lot of mistakes and have fun as we learn, so please join us!